Grief for children, grandfather
A memorial service for three Perth children and their grandfather killed on Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 has drawn 1,000 people.
Mo, Evie and Otis Maslin, aged 12, 10 and 8 respectively, and their grandfather, Nick Norris, were aboard the Malaysia Airlines jet shot down over Ukraine in July.
Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop flew back to Perth from Ukraine to attend Sunday’s service at Scotch College, where Mo attended secondary school and his grandfather was a former student.
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And having Nick, the wisest man I know, as their eternal guide gives us some comfort, too.
The children’s mother, Rin Norris, told the service about the joy and delight the children brought her and the lessons she had learnt from them.
‘Wise man’ Nick Norris.
“I can imagine the memory of their bodies close to mine and the love in my heart will always be open for them. My arms will always be reaching for them,” she said.
The children’s father, Anthony “Mas” Maslin, said the children had travelled to numerous countries around the world, cramming more into their short lives than most people do in three lifetimes.
“Someone said they were so close, they were meant to be together,” he said.
“And having Nick, the wisest man I know, as their eternal guide gives us some comfort, too.”
Those attending the service smiled and laughed as stories and anecdotes about each of the children were shared.
Music tributes were played as photo montages cycled through on large screens.
Mr Maslin described Evie as the “second mum” and heart of the family.
“We know Evie is making everything okay for Mo, Otis and Nick,” he said.
“We hope she can somehow make everything okay for us too.”